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Pregunta 1 Informe
A new Principal has been posted to your school. Write a speech you will deliver at the welcome party organised for him informing him about some problems faced by students.
A WELCOME SPEECH DELIVERED AT THE RECEPTION IN HONOUR OF OUR NEW PRINCIPAL
The Vice-Principal, distinguished members of the teaching and non-teaching staff, our respected new Principal, invited guests, fellow students, ladies and gentlemen. Good afternoon.
My name is Adeola Johnson, and it is my singular honour, on behalf of the entire student body of this great school, to stand before you today to welcome our new Principal to our midst. Sir, we have heard of your wide experience, your firm discipline and your genuine love for young people, and so we receive you today with great joy and high expectations. We are confident that, under your able leadership, our school will rise to greater heights of excellence.
However, sir, a welcome such as this would not be complete or sincere if we hid from you the difficulties we face daily. With all respect, permit me to bring to your notice, on behalf of my fellow students, a few of the problems that trouble us, believing that you will help us to solve them.
First, sir, is the problem of inadequate classroom facilities. Many of our classrooms have broken windows, too few desks and leaking roofs, so that during the rainy season our lessons are frequently disrupted. We humbly appeal for the repair and proper equipping of these classrooms.
Secondly, we lack a well-stocked library and a functional laboratory. Our science students in particular find it very hard to carry out their practicals, while many others have too few books for private study. A better library and laboratory would greatly improve our academic performance.
Thirdly, sir, is the shortage of clean, drinkable water and the poor state of sanitation in the school. The few taps we have hardly run, and this exposes us to illness. Your kind intervention in providing water and improving the toilets and general cleanliness of the school would be a great relief to us all.
Finally, we appeal for more encouragement of sporting and extra-curricular activities. Such activities keep us healthy and disciplined, bring out our hidden talents and add to the good name of our school.
Sir, we do not raise these matters as complaints, but as the honest trust of children in a caring guardian. On our part, we pledge our obedience, our seriousness and our full cooperation as you lead us. Once again, on behalf of every student, I say to you: you are warmly and heartily welcome.
Thank you all for listening, and may our new Principal's tenure be blessed and fruitful. Long live our great school.
Detalles de la respuesta
A WELCOME SPEECH DELIVERED AT THE RECEPTION IN HONOUR OF OUR NEW PRINCIPAL
The Vice-Principal, distinguished members of the teaching and non-teaching staff, our respected new Principal, invited guests, fellow students, ladies and gentlemen. Good afternoon.
My name is Adeola Johnson, and it is my singular honour, on behalf of the entire student body of this great school, to stand before you today to welcome our new Principal to our midst. Sir, we have heard of your wide experience, your firm discipline and your genuine love for young people, and so we receive you today with great joy and high expectations. We are confident that, under your able leadership, our school will rise to greater heights of excellence.
However, sir, a welcome such as this would not be complete or sincere if we hid from you the difficulties we face daily. With all respect, permit me to bring to your notice, on behalf of my fellow students, a few of the problems that trouble us, believing that you will help us to solve them.
First, sir, is the problem of inadequate classroom facilities. Many of our classrooms have broken windows, too few desks and leaking roofs, so that during the rainy season our lessons are frequently disrupted. We humbly appeal for the repair and proper equipping of these classrooms.
Secondly, we lack a well-stocked library and a functional laboratory. Our science students in particular find it very hard to carry out their practicals, while many others have too few books for private study. A better library and laboratory would greatly improve our academic performance.
Thirdly, sir, is the shortage of clean, drinkable water and the poor state of sanitation in the school. The few taps we have hardly run, and this exposes us to illness. Your kind intervention in providing water and improving the toilets and general cleanliness of the school would be a great relief to us all.
Finally, we appeal for more encouragement of sporting and extra-curricular activities. Such activities keep us healthy and disciplined, bring out our hidden talents and add to the good name of our school.
Sir, we do not raise these matters as complaints, but as the honest trust of children in a caring guardian. On our part, we pledge our obedience, our seriousness and our full cooperation as you lead us. Once again, on behalf of every student, I say to you: you are warmly and heartily welcome.
Thank you all for listening, and may our new Principal's tenure be blessed and fruitful. Long live our great school.
Pregunta 2 Informe
Write an article suitable for publication in a national newspaper on the topic: The importance of Promoting Good Reading Habits in Students.
An article for a national newspaper needs a clear title, the writer's name below it, and well-organised paragraphs with an introduction, body and conclusion.
The Importance of Promoting Good Reading Habits in Students
By Adaeze Johnson
It has often been said that readers are leaders. In an age when the mobile phone and the television compete fiercely for the attention of the young, the quiet habit of reading is fast disappearing among our students. Yet no single habit does more to shape a sound, successful and useful citizen. The time has come for parents, teachers and society to promote good reading habits deliberately.
In the first place, reading is the foundation of academic excellence. Every subject in the school curriculum, from Mathematics to History, is learnt through the printed word. A student who reads widely and regularly understands his lessons faster, expresses himself clearly, and performs better in examinations. Reading builds vocabulary, sharpens spelling and grammar, and trains the mind to think in an orderly manner.
Secondly, reading broadens the horizon of the young. Through books, a student in a small village can travel to distant lands, meet great minds, and learn about cultures and ideas far beyond his immediate surroundings. Such exposure breeds tolerance, curiosity and creativity, and it equips the young for a world that grows more competitive by the day.
Thirdly, good reading habits build good character. Biographies of great men and women, moral stories and inspiring literature teach honesty, courage, discipline and perseverance. A student who spends his leisure with worthy books is kept away from idleness and the vices that idleness breeds.
How, then, can this habit be promoted? Schools should stock their libraries with attractive and up-to-date books and set aside a regular reading period. Teachers and parents must lead by example, for the young imitate what they see. Reading clubs, book competitions and rewards for wide readers will kindle healthy interest, while the resources of the internet can be turned toward useful reading rather than mere entertainment.
In conclusion, a nation of readers is a nation of thinkers, and a nation of thinkers is bound to prosper. If we truly desire a brighter future, we must place a good book in the hands of every student and inspire in him the lifelong love of reading.
Detalles de la respuesta
An article for a national newspaper needs a clear title, the writer's name below it, and well-organised paragraphs with an introduction, body and conclusion.
The Importance of Promoting Good Reading Habits in Students
By Adaeze Johnson
It has often been said that readers are leaders. In an age when the mobile phone and the television compete fiercely for the attention of the young, the quiet habit of reading is fast disappearing among our students. Yet no single habit does more to shape a sound, successful and useful citizen. The time has come for parents, teachers and society to promote good reading habits deliberately.
In the first place, reading is the foundation of academic excellence. Every subject in the school curriculum, from Mathematics to History, is learnt through the printed word. A student who reads widely and regularly understands his lessons faster, expresses himself clearly, and performs better in examinations. Reading builds vocabulary, sharpens spelling and grammar, and trains the mind to think in an orderly manner.
Secondly, reading broadens the horizon of the young. Through books, a student in a small village can travel to distant lands, meet great minds, and learn about cultures and ideas far beyond his immediate surroundings. Such exposure breeds tolerance, curiosity and creativity, and it equips the young for a world that grows more competitive by the day.
Thirdly, good reading habits build good character. Biographies of great men and women, moral stories and inspiring literature teach honesty, courage, discipline and perseverance. A student who spends his leisure with worthy books is kept away from idleness and the vices that idleness breeds.
How, then, can this habit be promoted? Schools should stock their libraries with attractive and up-to-date books and set aside a regular reading period. Teachers and parents must lead by example, for the young imitate what they see. Reading clubs, book competitions and rewards for wide readers will kindle healthy interest, while the resources of the internet can be turned toward useful reading rather than mere entertainment.
In conclusion, a nation of readers is a nation of thinkers, and a nation of thinkers is bound to prosper. If we truly desire a brighter future, we must place a good book in the hands of every student and inspire in him the lifelong love of reading.
Pregunta 3 Informe
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.
There are gifts of nature without which human survival on Earth is impossible. Some of these gifts include water, oxygen and the forest. The last is of particular interest. Forests occupy a vast landmass and are found in many parts of the World. They are uncultivated lands thickly covered with trees. Forests have played a significant role in the Survival of humans, Unfortunately, thousands of hectares are destroyed each year due to human activities. It is, however, becoming increasingly obvious that if appropriate steps are not taken to curb the wave of forest destruction, the future Survival of humans iş hanging in the balance. This realization is fueling the campaign to preserve this wonderful gift of nature.
Forests are more important to humans than humans are to them. Forest trees serve as a protection against erosion Without the canopy provided by trees, the land will be exposed to all the elements such as strong winds and heavy rainfall The strong winds blow the soil while running water washes away the top soil with its nutrients, Thus, the most fertile land becomes barren. Wood from trees also serves as an important material in building construction. It is cut and .processed for use in building houses and shelters which provide protection against the inclement weather. With this, the forest shields both humans and the Earth. It is therefore important to ensure the continued availability of this important natural resource. To this end, there is the need for the relevant authorities to enact laws that will mandate tree planting to replace felled ones. Where such laws already exist, efforts must be made to enforce compliance.
The inventiveness of humans has led to the discovery of another use for forest trees. Logs can be cut, chopped into pieces, ground by machines and turned into wood pulp which then goes through some other processes and paper is the end product. We can imagine the great things timber does when we look at the tons of books that are produced and read Worldwide. Thanks to technology, it is now possible to operate a paperless society to some extent. Everyone must therefore continue to make a conscious effort to protect the forest by going paperless. Soft copies of books should be preferred to hard copies. More newspaper publishers now have online outlets where news items are published. Hence, Subscription to these outlets will ensure, a reduction in the demand for paper.
Forests feed the earth, humans, and animals that live in them. Through the addition of humus and vegetable matter from dead leaves and droppings of animals, the soil is replenished with mulch, minerals, and manure, which are much better than fertilizers. Humans also get food from the nutrient-packed plants and animals of the forest and even use them for medicinal purposes. Thus. governments must discourage the cultivation of forest as farmlands by creating forest reserves. Such reserves should be protected by law to prevent encroachment. This will ensure unfettered growth of trees, and ultimately, the survival of humans.
(a) In three sentences, one for each, state three benefits derived from forests.
(b) In three sentences, one for each, state three measures to control deforestation.
(a) Three benefits derived from forests (one sentence each)
(b) Three measures to control deforestation (one sentence each)
Detalles de la respuesta
(a) Three benefits derived from forests (one sentence each)
(b) Three measures to control deforestation (one sentence each)
Pregunta 4 Informe
Your brother who is in the third year in another school has written to confide in you that he is about to stop schooling and go into business. Write a letter to him advising him against his decision.
This is an informal (friendly) letter, so it carries only the writer's own address and date, an informal salutation, and an informal subscription such as Your loving brother. The body must clearly advise against dropping out and give convincing reasons.
15, Ademola Street,
Surulere,
Lagos.
10th July, 2026.
Dear Emeka,
How are you doing in school? I received your letter and I have read it several times. I must confess that your decision to abandon your studies in the third year in order to go into business has troubled me greatly. As your elder brother, I cannot keep silent; I am writing to plead with you to change your mind.
First, education is the surest foundation for any lasting success, including success in business. A trained mind reads contracts, keeps accounts, understands the law and negotiates wisely. Many businesses collapse simply because their owners lack the knowledge that school provides. If you leave now, you throw away the very tools that would have made your business thrive.
Secondly, you are already in the third year. To stop now is to waste the years, money and effort that our parents have poured into you. A journey that is more than half completed should not be abandoned when the destination is in sight. In a few years you will hold a certificate that no one can take from you, and it will open doors that money alone cannot.
Thirdly, business without patience and preparation is a great risk. At your age, you have neither the capital nor the experience to withstand the losses that beginners often suffer. Finish your education first; you can then go into business as an informed adult, and even combine both if you wish.
Finally, think of the joy of our ageing parents and the example you set for the younger ones who look up to you. Do not let a moment of impatience rob you of a bright future.
I beg you, Emeka, hold on and complete your schooling. When you visit during the holidays, we shall discuss your business ideas fully. I am confident you will make the wiser choice.
Your loving brother,
Tunde.
Detalles de la respuesta
This is an informal (friendly) letter, so it carries only the writer's own address and date, an informal salutation, and an informal subscription such as Your loving brother. The body must clearly advise against dropping out and give convincing reasons.
15, Ademola Street,
Surulere,
Lagos.
10th July, 2026.
Dear Emeka,
How are you doing in school? I received your letter and I have read it several times. I must confess that your decision to abandon your studies in the third year in order to go into business has troubled me greatly. As your elder brother, I cannot keep silent; I am writing to plead with you to change your mind.
First, education is the surest foundation for any lasting success, including success in business. A trained mind reads contracts, keeps accounts, understands the law and negotiates wisely. Many businesses collapse simply because their owners lack the knowledge that school provides. If you leave now, you throw away the very tools that would have made your business thrive.
Secondly, you are already in the third year. To stop now is to waste the years, money and effort that our parents have poured into you. A journey that is more than half completed should not be abandoned when the destination is in sight. In a few years you will hold a certificate that no one can take from you, and it will open doors that money alone cannot.
Thirdly, business without patience and preparation is a great risk. At your age, you have neither the capital nor the experience to withstand the losses that beginners often suffer. Finish your education first; you can then go into business as an informed adult, and even combine both if you wish.
Finally, think of the joy of our ageing parents and the example you set for the younger ones who look up to you. Do not let a moment of impatience rob you of a bright future.
I beg you, Emeka, hold on and complete your schooling. When you visit during the holidays, we shall discuss your business ideas fully. I am confident you will make the wiser choice.
Your loving brother,
Tunde.
Pregunta 5 Informe
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.
My mother never thought it necessary to inform any of her children that she would pay them a visit in Lagos at any time. After all, no child would refuse her entry into their home. She had always been lucky to meet a member of the household each time she came Visiting and it was unimaginable to her that a day would come when no one would de at home to receive her.
In her usual manner, Mama boarded a vehicle from the village at noon with all her luggage which usually comprised the local delicacies we all enjoyed eating whenever she came visiting Since she was aware of the time of the day everyone would be back home from work, she was not worried when the bus made frequent stops to either pick up or discharge passengers. while the journey lasted, Mama chatted heartily with a fellow passenger who was also going to See her son in Lagos and the two exchanged telephone numbers.
Eventually, the vehicle crawled to a final stop and everyone alighted. Mama flagged down a taxi and headed for her daughters' house. Although the fare demanded by the driver, was outrageous and the money on her could not cover it. Mama believed that when she got to the house, her daughter or son-in-law would come to her aid by making up the difference.
How wrong she was! Unknown to Mama, my husband and I had traveled out of town on one of our numerous official assignments while my son had returned to the university campus, The only person on the premises was the new watchman. Mama s dilemma, however, began with the payment of the taxi fare. When she alighted with some of her luggage, she met the cold unfriendly stare of a complete stranger. She tried frantically to introduce herself to the watchman but could not communicate effectively because of the language barrier. To her embarrassment, the taxi driver called her a fraudulent old woman, left his contact number, and drove off in annoyance with one of her bags.
Mama remembered that the woman with whom she had traveled on the bus had given her her phone number and she decided to call her for help. After what seemed like an eternity, the woman's son drove in his car to fetch Mama. My mother was quite grateful for that but she will never forget the fact that she had to eat spaghetti and omelette for dinner.
That night, I received a call from a complete stranger informing me of my mother's ordeal. I had to rush back to Lagos the following day to bring Mama back home and get her bag from the taxi driver. My mother left for the village two days after and has since made it a point to call before she visits anyone.
(a) Why did the writer's mother never inform her children of her intention to visit them?
(b) How did Mama while away the hours on the journey?
(c) State two difficulties Mama faced when she arrived Lagos.
(d) Why did the taxi driver leave with one of Mama's bags?
(e) Why do you think that Mama will never forget what she had for dinner?
(f)... Who was also going to see her son in Lagos... (i) What grammatical name is given to this expression as it is used In the passage? (ii) What is its function?
(g)... seemed like an eternity... What does this expression mean'?
(h) What lesson did Mama learn from this trip? (i) For each of the following words, find another word or phrase which means the Same and which can replace it as it is ed in the passage: (i) unimaginable; (ii) heartily; (iii) outrageous; (iv) numerous; (v) frantically; (vi) fraudulent.
(a) Why the writer's mother never informed her children of her visits
She reasoned that no child would refuse her entry into their home, and she had always been lucky enough to meet a member of the household whenever she came; it was therefore unimaginable to her that she would ever arrive to find no one at home.
(b) How Mama whiled away the hours on the journey
She chatted heartily throughout the journey with a fellow passenger who was also travelling to see her son in Lagos, and the two of them even exchanged telephone numbers.
(c) Two difficulties Mama faced on arrival in Lagos
(d) Why the taxi driver left with one of Mama's bags
Because Mama could not pay the full fare, the angry driver called her a fraudulent old woman and drove off with one of her bags, apparently keeping it against the balance she could not pay.
(e) Why Mama will never forget what she had for dinner
Because, instead of the local delicacies she loved and always brought and enjoyed, she was reduced to eating an unfamiliar, foreign meal of spaghetti and omelette in a stranger's house, an experience that summed up the strangeness and discomfort of her whole ordeal.
(f)(i) Grammatical name of the expression
It is an adjectival (relative) clause.
(f)(ii) Its function
It qualifies (modifies) the noun passenger, telling us which fellow passenger is meant.
(g) Meaning of "seemed like an eternity"
It means the waiting lasted a very long time, or felt endlessly long, although in reality it may not have been so long.
(h) The lesson Mama learned
She learned that she should always call ahead and inform people before visiting them, rather than assuming she would always meet someone at home.
(i) Words and their replacements
Detalles de la respuesta
(a) Why the writer's mother never informed her children of her visits
She reasoned that no child would refuse her entry into their home, and she had always been lucky enough to meet a member of the household whenever she came; it was therefore unimaginable to her that she would ever arrive to find no one at home.
(b) How Mama whiled away the hours on the journey
She chatted heartily throughout the journey with a fellow passenger who was also travelling to see her son in Lagos, and the two of them even exchanged telephone numbers.
(c) Two difficulties Mama faced on arrival in Lagos
(d) Why the taxi driver left with one of Mama's bags
Because Mama could not pay the full fare, the angry driver called her a fraudulent old woman and drove off with one of her bags, apparently keeping it against the balance she could not pay.
(e) Why Mama will never forget what she had for dinner
Because, instead of the local delicacies she loved and always brought and enjoyed, she was reduced to eating an unfamiliar, foreign meal of spaghetti and omelette in a stranger's house, an experience that summed up the strangeness and discomfort of her whole ordeal.
(f)(i) Grammatical name of the expression
It is an adjectival (relative) clause.
(f)(ii) Its function
It qualifies (modifies) the noun passenger, telling us which fellow passenger is meant.
(g) Meaning of "seemed like an eternity"
It means the waiting lasted a very long time, or felt endlessly long, although in reality it may not have been so long.
(h) The lesson Mama learned
She learned that she should always call ahead and inform people before visiting them, rather than assuming she would always meet someone at home.
(i) Words and their replacements
Pregunta 6 Informe
As the Senior Prefect of your school, write a letter to the Principal pointing out at least two practices among students that should be discouraged and two habits that should be promoted among teachers.
This is a formal letter, so it carries two addresses (the writer's above, the recipient's below), a formal salutation and subscription, and a heading. The senior prefect must point out at least two student practices to be discouraged and two teacher habits to be promoted.
The Senior Prefect,
Government Secondary School,
Ikeja,
Lagos.
10th July, 2026.
The Principal,
Government Secondary School,
Ikeja,
Lagos.
Dear Sir,
PRACTICES TO BE DISCOURAGED AND HABITS TO BE PROMOTED
I write, on behalf of the entire student body, to draw your kind attention to a few matters that affect the welfare and progress of our school. I am confident that your fatherly intervention will bring the desired improvement.
First, there are practices among students which should be discouraged. The most worrying is lateness to school. A growing number of students arrive after the assembly, miss the early lessons, and disrupt lessons already in progress. Firm measures, such as a proper record and counselling of latecomers, would help to correct this. Secondly, there is the practice of examination malpractice. Some students smuggle in prepared notes and copy from one another during tests. This dishonest habit ruins genuine learning and stains the good name of our school; it should be firmly checked and offenders openly warned.
On the other hand, there are habits among teachers that deserve to be promoted. First is punctuality and regularity in class. When teachers arrive early and keep to the timetable, students learn more and imitate their discipline; those who are diligent should be commended to encourage others. Secondly, the habit of showing kindness and patience to weaker students should be encouraged. A teacher who explains patiently and treats students with warmth, rather than harshness, wins their confidence and helps them to improve. Such teachers should be recognised and celebrated so that the practice may spread.
I believe that if these unwholesome practices are discouraged and these good habits are promoted, our school will become a happier and more successful community. Thank you for your understanding and your usual prompt attention.
Yours faithfully,
Bola Adeyemi,
Senior Prefect.
Detalles de la respuesta
This is a formal letter, so it carries two addresses (the writer's above, the recipient's below), a formal salutation and subscription, and a heading. The senior prefect must point out at least two student practices to be discouraged and two teacher habits to be promoted.
The Senior Prefect,
Government Secondary School,
Ikeja,
Lagos.
10th July, 2026.
The Principal,
Government Secondary School,
Ikeja,
Lagos.
Dear Sir,
PRACTICES TO BE DISCOURAGED AND HABITS TO BE PROMOTED
I write, on behalf of the entire student body, to draw your kind attention to a few matters that affect the welfare and progress of our school. I am confident that your fatherly intervention will bring the desired improvement.
First, there are practices among students which should be discouraged. The most worrying is lateness to school. A growing number of students arrive after the assembly, miss the early lessons, and disrupt lessons already in progress. Firm measures, such as a proper record and counselling of latecomers, would help to correct this. Secondly, there is the practice of examination malpractice. Some students smuggle in prepared notes and copy from one another during tests. This dishonest habit ruins genuine learning and stains the good name of our school; it should be firmly checked and offenders openly warned.
On the other hand, there are habits among teachers that deserve to be promoted. First is punctuality and regularity in class. When teachers arrive early and keep to the timetable, students learn more and imitate their discipline; those who are diligent should be commended to encourage others. Secondly, the habit of showing kindness and patience to weaker students should be encouraged. A teacher who explains patiently and treats students with warmth, rather than harshness, wins their confidence and helps them to improve. Such teachers should be recognised and celebrated so that the practice may spread.
I believe that if these unwholesome practices are discouraged and these good habits are promoted, our school will become a happier and more successful community. Thank you for your understanding and your usual prompt attention.
Yours faithfully,
Bola Adeyemi,
Senior Prefect.
Pregunta 7 Informe
Write a story that ends with the statement: I had never felt so embarrassed in my life.
A narrative essay of this kind must build naturally toward the given closing sentence, which must appear word for word as the very last line. A clear setting, rising action, a climax of embarrassment and a brief reflection make a good story.
The Day of the Prize
For weeks the whole school had spoken of nothing but the inter-house debate. I had been chosen to lead my house, and, if I am honest, the choice had gone to my head. I told everyone who cared to listen that the trophy was as good as ours, for I was certain no one could match my command of the English language. I spent more time boasting than preparing, and I refused the notes my quiet teammate, Ngozi, kept offering me.
The great day came. The hall was packed to the rafters with students, teachers and invited parents. When my turn came, I strode to the microphone with the confidence of a champion, my chin raised high. I opened my mouth to deliver the brilliant argument I had rehearsed in my head, and then it happened. My mind went suddenly, completely blank.
I stared at the sea of faces. Not a single sentence would come. I cleared my throat, shuffled the few cards I had scribbled that morning, and mumbled something that made no sense at all. A ripple of laughter ran through the hall. My hands began to shake. The more I struggled, the worse it became, until the master of ceremonies gently asked me to take my seat. I walked back with my eyes fixed on the floor, my ears burning, wishing the ground would open and swallow me.
To crown it all, quiet Ngozi rose in my place, spoke with grace and logic, and won the debate for our house almost single-handedly. The applause that should have been mine was hers, and richly deserved. As I sat there clapping with the others, my cheeks hot with shame, I finally understood the price of pride and idleness.
That evening I thanked Ngozi and begged her forgiveness, and I resolved never again to trade preparation for boasting. But the memory of that hall, of the laughter and the pitying stares, still makes me wince. I had never felt so embarrassed in my life.
Detalles de la respuesta
A narrative essay of this kind must build naturally toward the given closing sentence, which must appear word for word as the very last line. A clear setting, rising action, a climax of embarrassment and a brief reflection make a good story.
The Day of the Prize
For weeks the whole school had spoken of nothing but the inter-house debate. I had been chosen to lead my house, and, if I am honest, the choice had gone to my head. I told everyone who cared to listen that the trophy was as good as ours, for I was certain no one could match my command of the English language. I spent more time boasting than preparing, and I refused the notes my quiet teammate, Ngozi, kept offering me.
The great day came. The hall was packed to the rafters with students, teachers and invited parents. When my turn came, I strode to the microphone with the confidence of a champion, my chin raised high. I opened my mouth to deliver the brilliant argument I had rehearsed in my head, and then it happened. My mind went suddenly, completely blank.
I stared at the sea of faces. Not a single sentence would come. I cleared my throat, shuffled the few cards I had scribbled that morning, and mumbled something that made no sense at all. A ripple of laughter ran through the hall. My hands began to shake. The more I struggled, the worse it became, until the master of ceremonies gently asked me to take my seat. I walked back with my eyes fixed on the floor, my ears burning, wishing the ground would open and swallow me.
To crown it all, quiet Ngozi rose in my place, spoke with grace and logic, and won the debate for our house almost single-handedly. The applause that should have been mine was hers, and richly deserved. As I sat there clapping with the others, my cheeks hot with shame, I finally understood the price of pride and idleness.
That evening I thanked Ngozi and begged her forgiveness, and I resolved never again to trade preparation for boasting. But the memory of that hall, of the laughter and the pitying stares, still makes me wince. I had never felt so embarrassed in my life.
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